Partial Cryotherapy
Local cryotherapy, or partial cryotherapy, targets specific muscle spasms or muscle area. The device looks like a vacuum hosed attached to a rectangular chamber about half the size an adult man. The cold air treatments reach -25°F to -40°F. The device lasts for about 20 seconds- 1 minute. This process works better than icing an injury. Instead of direct ice applied to one area the localized cryotherapy can be moved and changed a number of ways. The hose allows a defined and precise area to be cooled. Exact air flow can contact the surface of the skin.
Localized cryotherapy devices take in room temperature. The ambient air is then chiller before delivered to the designated areas. Treatment is normally quicker, but less efficient than chamber cryotherapy. Localized cryotherapy reduces the risk of damage to tissues and muscles oppose to whole body cryotherapy. Many patients cannot stand full body cold found in the chamber and saunas of cryotherapy. With localized cryotherapy session patients won’t have to deal with the discomfort.
Some clients will state whole body cryotherapy is more efficient, but with patients who have post-surgical recovery, this is not the case. Localized cryotherapy is more efficient because of the active compression and it can be applied longer and penetrate deeper. It is also more cost effective. It is cheaper to have localized therapy than whole-body cryotherapy. Localized cryotherapy is also portable, whereas whole body therapy is not. Localized cryotherapy is easier to administered and equipment can be rented if need be.
